Chapter 145
This middle–aged woman was in the Community Association and knew Audrey. “Back home, huh? Haven’t seen you around fately Did you rent out ya place again?”
“Nope,” Audrey replied politely. “Crashed at a friend’s place for a few days.”
The woman leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. “Listen, sweetie, keep your head on straight. Don’t get knocked up before you’re married
She jerked her thumb toward where Valerie had disappeared. “You should’ve seen it. Those newlyweds were fighting over divorce. She had a kid helene the wedding, and he hands his whole paycheck to his mom. Can you believe that?”
Audrey fought back a laugh. She’d been down that road once, letting Clayton walk all over her during their marriage because of some old debt.
“Got it, ma’am,” she said, nodding goodbye.
The woman called after her, “I’ll find you a good match. Leave it to me.”
Audrey waved without looking back and rushed into the apartment building. She pulled out her key slowly, eased it into the lock, and turned it bit by bit, trying not to make a sound.
But Calvin next door still heard. He’d been watching Clayton and Valerie’s drama from his balcony, so he’d seen Audrey arrive too.
Once inside, Audrey started boiling water. As soon as she plugged in the kettle, a knock sounded.
Calvin stood at the door, looking confused. “Ms. Henderson, what are you…”
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“Just checking in. You won’t breathe a word about me being here, right?” Audrey flashed a smile, but her eyes were ice–cold. She even made a slicing motion across her throat for emphasis.
Calvin sighed and shook his head. He thought, ‘Mr. Winifred and Ms. Henderson are thick as thieves. If she spends the night away, he’ll come looking. And if I lie for her, he’ll tear me apart.’ He forced a nod, then headed back to his apartment.
There was no food in the Kinsia House apartment, so when Audrey got hungry, she grabbed her phone and ordered takeout.
While waiting for the delivery, she hauled the bedding out to the balcony and gave it a good thrashing. Even though the place wasn’t damp, invisible dust always seemed to linger in the air. After that, she mopped the floors and wiped down the wardrobe.
Just as she was rinsing the mop, a knock came–the food had arrived.
“Coming,” Audrey called, drying her hands as she went to the door.
The second she opened it, a disgustingly familiar face greeted her. Audrey’s expression turned icy, and she tried slamming the door shut.
Clayton, ready for this, quickly jammed his uninjured hand against the door. “Audrey, let’s talk like adults.”
“We have nothing to say.” Audrey pushed back hard. “Leave right now, or I’m calling the cops.”
Clayton ignored her hostility and kept pushing the door hard.
He said, “Audrey, I was in the wrong before. Valerie’s fragile facade completely threw me off. I realize now that you were the only one who ever truly had my back, and you endured so much unfairness during our marriage.
“Please give me another chance to make things right. I swear I’ll repay everything I owe you.”
Given the stark strength difference between them, Clayton still shouldered his way inside.
He glanced around the room, a smirk tugging at his lips. “You still kept the minimalist style I suggested. You do care about me. I only let Valerie stay here
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Chapter 145.
because I felt bad for her and the kid. There was never anything between us.”
Audrey walked to the table and picked up the coffee pot.
The rich aroma hit Clayton’s nose, and he swallowed involuntarily. He hadn’t had her coffee for a long time, and his throat was so raw from straerah like he was swallowing glass shards.
“Audrey, I know you still…” Before he could finish, Audrey grabbed a cup and hurled the contents at him.
Clayton flinched, throwing up his arm. Half the boiling water missed his face but soaked his chest instead. His face twisted in pain, a flicker of malice flashing in his eyes before disappearing quickly.
“Oops, dropped it,” Audrey said coolly, folding her arms as she watched Clayton scramble. “I’m counting to three. Stay here, and you’ll wish you hadn‘
Clayton fumbled with his soaking shirt, shaking it wildly in a desperate attempt to ease the burning. Luckily, his shirt was spill–proof, so the boiling water hadn’t seeped through to his skin yet, but the searing pain was still excruciating.
Gritting his teeth, he choked back his rage. “You feel better now, huh?”
“Clayton, do you literally not understand English?” Audrey’s eyes dripped with scorn. “We’re over. Go be with your Vally and pay back whatever you think you owe her. Leave me the hell alone.”
Something unreadable flickered in Clayton’s gaze. He stepped closer, locking eyes with her. “Over? Then why’d you get Malcolm to sue me for restricting your personal liberty? Is this because I married Valerie? You trying to get back at me?”
Clayton raised his hand solemnly. “I swear I’ll file for divorce today. Let’s start fresh. You’ll handle every dime I make.”
He rambled on, his voice rising and his eyes wild as if picturing their perfect future and booming career.
Audrey tuned him out, turning to grab something to fight off this lunatic. As she moved, her collar shifted, exposing several raw, red marks across her
neck.
he collar
Clayton, who had been pouring out his heart while staring at her, saw the marks on her neck and his eyes widened in shock.
As if struck by a sudden shock, he shot out a hand, clamping down on her shoulders and yanking her collar. “Who did this? Was it that bastard Paul or some other goddamned asshole?!”
Startled, Audrey stumbled forward, thrown off balance by the sudden attack. She’d tried to grab a cup from the table to smash into him, but now her hand closed on nothing. Furious, she swung and slapped him hard across the face.
Clayton’s head snapped to the side, his expression turning feral. He looked like a rabid dog whose prized bone had been stolen, his jowls quivering with rage, ugly and grotesque.
A bright red handprint flared on his cheek. He sucked in a sharp breath, tonguing the inside of his cheek but didn’t let go. “You’re mine! I’ve never slept with you. Who the hell has the nerve?!”
As Audrey raised her hand again, he grabbed her wrist in his bandaged hand, vice–tight.
She gave a cold smirk. “You must be suicidal.” She drove her knee upward with full force, slamming into his groin.
Clayton was stunned by the sudden attack, the pain draining the color from his face. A strangled wheeze escaped him as he stumbled backward. Before he could steady himself, Audrey kicked him in the gut, sending him crashing out the door.
Curled in pain, he saw a pair of men’s leather shoes stride toward him.
